Live attenuated oral vaccine against shigellosis and typhoid fever

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is the attenuated  Salmonella typhi  vaccine Ty21a utilized as a vector for  Shigella  and/or enterotoxogenic  E. coli  genes stably integrated in the Ty21a chromosome. These genes include a heterologous  Shigella sonnei  O-antigen biosynthetic gene region that comprises the wzz gene and expresses  Shigella sonnei  form 1 O-antigen, as well as a heterologous acid resistance biosynthetic gene system comprising a YbaS gene, which enables increased stability of the Ty21a vector at pH 2.5 relative to Ty21a without the integrated acid resistance biosynthetic gene system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/742,459, currently allowed, which is a U.S. national stageapplication of International Appl. No. PCT/US2016/041192, filed Jul. 6,2016, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No.62/189,083, filed Jul. 6, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

All strains disclosed herein were constructed without governmentsupport. However, characterization of strains was supported in part bySBIR grant R43AI106158, “Live Attenuated Oral Typhoid-ShigellosisVaccine”.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing, which is submittedin ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. This ASCII copy, created on Jun. 9, 2020, is named“2602_0160002_SequenceListing_ST25.txt” and is 37,461,327 bytes in size,and was originally submitted in International Appl. No.PCT/US2016/041192.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent retrospective analyses indicate that the global burden ofShigella infections is >125 million annually [1,2]. Shigellosis affectsmainly children and causes at least 250,000 deaths per year. There aremore than 40 serotypes of Shigella, but only a few are responsible forthe majority of shigellosis. In developing countries, S. flexineriaccounts for most of the case isolates in children under age 5, while S.sonnei is the second leading causative species, at about 24% [3]. Indeveloped countries, S. sonnei is the leading cause of shigellosis. InUnited States alone, CDC estimates that there are about 500,000 casesevery year; of which 75% are caused by S. sonnei. (reviewed in [4] andCDC, National Enteric Disease Surveillance: Shigella Annual Report, 2012worldwideweb.cdc.gov/ncezid/dfwed/PDFs/shigella-annual-report-2012-508c.pdf).

In recent years, incidents of drug-resistant S. sonnei infectionassociated with international travellers and adult males who have sexwith men have been increasingly reported [5-8]. Shigella is listed byboth NIAID and DOD as a high priority pathogen.

Vaccines comprise a rational and cost-effective means for protectingagainst infectious diseases. Protection against shigellosis is believedto be based mainly on anti-O polysaccharide (or O antigen) antibodies[9].

Salmonella Typhi Ty21a typhoid vaccine (Vivotif®) [10] is the only live,oral, attenuated bacterial vaccine licensed in the US. Ty21a, whenadministered for a one week period, affords sustained protection fromtyphoid fever for 7 years with efficacies ranging from 62-96% asreported in Chilean/Egyptian field trials [11-13], and it has had anunrivaled safety record during the past 25 years [14-17]. There hasnever been a reported case of bacteremic dissemination of Ty21a afteradministration to more than 200 million recipients [10], and Ty21a isnonpathogenic even when given at 100 times the standard dose [12]. Also,there are no reports of post-vaccination inflammatory arthritis (e.g.,Reiter's syndrome) with Ty21a, a potential problem with other liveattenuated vectors including nontyphoid Salmonella, Shigella, andYersinia. In addition, Ty21a can be foam-dried, which provides fortemperature stabilization and a potential shelf life of 5-10 years [18].

Dr. Kopecko's lab used Ty21a as a vector to express S. sonnei form IO-antigen from an expression cassette inserted into plasmids (U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,541,043; 8,071,084; 8,337,832; and 8,992,943). Additionally, arecombinant Ty21a strain carrying a genome-integrated S. sonnei form IO-antigen gene cluster constructed in Dr. Kopecko's Lab induced highlevels of serum antibodies against both S. sonnei form I O-antigen andSalmonella O9, 12 O-antigen and protected against lethal challenge of S.sonnei in mice [19 and WO2014/04367]. However, the immunization andinfection route was by intraperitoneal (IP) injection, which is not theroute for Ty21a immunization per se, nor is it the natural S. Typhi orS. sonnei route of infection. LPS alone immunized through the mucosalroute is not immunogenic [20]. Moreover, high serum IgG does notdirectly reflect the strength of local mucosal immune responses.

Curtiss et al. described a bacterial recombinant comprising a Gad B/Cacid resistance cassette [49].

There is a need for bivalent and multivalent transgenic attenuated, acidresistant vaccines for protection against shigellosis and typhoid fever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application is related generally to bioengineering, and tomultivalent oral vaccines for protection against shigellosis and typhoidfever.

The present invention relates to the development of a bivalent, oral,live attenuated, acid stable composition (e.g., a vaccine) for useagainst shigellosis caused by Shigella sonnei and typhoid fever causedby Salmonella enterica serovar typhi (referred to herein as S. typhi orSalmonella typhi). Disclosed herein is the characterization of theconstructed vaccine strains, e.g., Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1)administered through immunization routes, including, e.g., oraladministration. This invention discloses the preparation and use of theattenuated Salmonella enterica serovar typhi vaccine Ty21a as anexpression vector for Shigella sonnei genes stably integrated into theTy21a chromosome. Also disclosed herein is a Ty21a strain co-expressingthe concerted YbaS-GadBC AR system and S. sonnei form I O antigen andthe characterization of such vaccine strain.

In an embodiment, a transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a is disclosed,comprising a heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigen biosynthetic generegion and further comprising a heterologous acid resistancebiosynthetic gene system, said biosynthetic O-antigen gene region andsaid acid resistance biosynthetic gene system both being integrated intothe Salmonella typhi Ty21a chromosome, wherein:

-   -   a. heterologous Shigella sonnei form 1 O-antigen is stably        expressed;    -   b. heterologous Shigella sonnei acid resistance enzymes,        comprising a YbaS gene, are stably expressed;    -   c. said transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a is more stable at pH        2.5 than Salmonella typhi Ty21a without the inserted acid        resistance biosynthetic gene system;    -   d. immune response and/or immune protection is elicited against        virulent Shigella sonnei challenge; and/or    -   e. immune response and/or immune protection is elicited against        virulent Salmonella typhi challenge.

In an embodiment, the heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigenbiosynthetic gene region of the transgenic Ty21a comprises a wzz gene.In some embodiments, the wzz gene of the invention is derived from thewzz gene having Gene bank accession: NC_007385.1 (193411 . . . 194517).In some embodiments, the wzz gene comprises a DNA sequence that sharesat least 90% sequence identity with the DNA sequence of nucleic acids4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequencethereof; the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof; or a DNA sequence thatencodes a functional variant of the polypeptide encoded by the DNAsequence of nucleic acids 4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or acomplementary sequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigenbiosynthetic gene region of the transgenic Ty21a comprises a DNAsequence that shares at least 90% sequence identity with the DNAsequence of nucleic acids 4,500,076 to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or acomplementary sequence thereof; the DNA sequence of nucleic acids4,500,076 to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequencethereof, or a DNA sequence that encodes a functional variant of thepolypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,500,076 to4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the transgenic Ty21a heterologous acid resistancebiosynthetic gene system comprises a YbaS gene. In some embodiments, theYbaS gene of the invention is derived from the YbaS gene having Genebankaccession: NC_007384 (REGION: 504891 . . . 505823). In some embodiments,the YbaS gene comprises a DNA sequence that shares at least 90% sequenceidentity with the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof, the DNA sequence ofnucleic acids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementarysequence thereof; or a DNA sequence that encodes a functional variant ofthe polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the transgenic Ty21a comprises a nucleic acid insertcomprising AraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso O Ag wzz+. In some embodiments, theAraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso O Ag wzz+ insert comprises a DNA sequence thatshares at least 90% sequence identity with the DNA sequence of nucleicacids 4,500,075-4,518,404 of SEQ ID NO:6 or a complementary sequencethereof; the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,500,075-4,518,404 of SEQ IDNO:6 or a complementary sequence thereof, or a DNA sequence that encodesa functional variant of the polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence ofnucleic acids 4,500,075-4,518,404 of SEQ ID NO:6 or a complementarysequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the transgenic Ty21a additionally comprises anO-antigen biosynthetic gene region from a bacterial strain selected fromthe group consisting of: Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri,Shigella boydii, Escherichia coli, Salmonela enterica serovars, Vibriocholera serotypes, Enterobacter species, Yersinia species, Pseudomonasspecies, and a combination thereof.

Certain embodiments are directed to compositions, e.g., bacterialcompositions, comprising a transgenic Ty21a disclosed herein incombination with a carrier that renders the construct suitable forpharmaceutical use.

Certain embodiments are directed to a vaccine suitable for oraladministration comprising a transgenic Ty21a disclosed herein incombination with a carrier.

In certain embodiments, administration of a vaccine or composition ofthe invention to a human population reduces the incidence of shigellosisin that human population subsequently exposed to pathogenic Shigellasonnei.

In certain embodiments, administration of a vaccine or composition ofthe invention to a human population reduces the incidence of typhoidfever in that human population subsequently exposed to pathogenic S.typhi.

In certain embodiments, administration of a vaccine or composition ofthe invention to a human population reduces the incidence of bothshigellosis and typhoid fever in that human population subsequentlyexposed to both pathogenic Shigella sonnei and/or pathogenic S. typhi.

In certain embodiments, a method of treating, preventing, or reducingthe incidence of shigellosis in a human subject is disclosed, e.g.,comprising oral administration of one or more doses of a vaccine orcomposition of the invention.

In certain embodiments, a method of treating, preventing, or reducingthe incidence of typhoid fever in a human subject is disclosed, e.g.,comprising oral administration of one or more doses of a vaccine orcomposition of the invention.

In certain embodiments, a method of treating, preventing, or reducingthe incidence of both shigellosis and typhoid fever in a human subjectis disclosed, e.g., comprising oral administration of one or more dosesof a vaccine or composition of the invention.

In some embodiments, the doses are prophylactic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1B. Schematic illustration of the glutamate-dependent acidresistant pathway (FIG. 1A) and glutamine-dependent acid resistantpathway (FIG. 1).

FIGS. 2A-2C. Construction of Ty21a-Sso and Ty21a-Sso wzz+. Molecularorganizations of the S. sonnei form I O antigen gene cluster on pSso046and pWR101 adapted from [46] (FIG. 2A). Schematic illustration of stableintegration of the cloned S. sonnei form I O antigen gene cluster, withor without wzz (FIG. 2B), into Ty21a chromosome (FIG. 2C) adapted from[19].

FIGS. 3A-3F. Expression of form I O-antigen in Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1)and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26). LPS was extracted from equivalent amountsof Ty21a (1), Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1) (2), and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26)(3), resolved on a 4-20% Tris-glycine SDS-PAGE gel, transferred to aPVDF membrane, and blotted against rabbit polyclonal antibodies againstS. sonnei form I (FIG. 3A) or Ty21a (FIG. 3B). Sizes of the molecularweight markers in kDa are indicated to the left of the gel. Fixedbacterial cells were co-stained with rabbit anti-S. sonnei form I (leftpanel), and DNA inside the cells was counter-stained with DAPI (rightpanel) and visualized by fluorescent microscopy. A representative imageis shown for Ty21a (FIG. 3C), S. sonnei 53G form I (FIG. 3D), Ty21a-Sso(clone #3-1) (FIG. 3E), and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) (FIG. 3F).

FIGS. 4A-4C. Ty21a-ABC expresses enzymatically active GAD in anarabinose-dependent manner. Ty21a (FIG. 4A), S. sonnei 53G form II (FIG.4B), and Ty21a-ABC (FIG. 4C) were grown in TSB supplemented with 1%trehalose (Tre) and/or 0.75% arabinose (Ara) as indicated above at 37°C. with agitation for overnight to saturation. Cells were harvested andassayed for GAD activity as described in materials and methods. A tablesummarizing results is shown on the right.

FIGS. 5A-5B. Ty21a-YBC expresses enzymatically active GAD andglutaminase (GLNase) in an arabinose inducible manner. Bacterial cellswere grown in TSB supplemented with 1% trehalose and indicated amount ofarabinose at 37° C. with agitation for overnight to saturation. Cellswere harvested and assayed for GLNase (FIG. 5A) and GAD (FIG. 5B)activity as described in materials and methods. A table summarizingresults is shown.

FIG. 6. S. sonnei form I O-antigen expressed from Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone#34-1) exhibits native form I O-antigen morphology. Ty21a-ABC-Sso (clone#20-25) and Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) were grown in TSB supplementedwith 1% trehalose or 1% trehalose and 0.75% arabinose at 37° C. withagitation for overnight to saturation. Cells were fixed by 10% formalin,co-stained with rabbit anti-S. sonnei form I (green), mouse anti-Ty21a(top panel), and DNA inside the cells was counter-stained with DAPI(bottom panel), and visualized by fluorescent microscopy. Imagesacquired from the same field were superimposed on each other and arepresentative image is shown for each of the growth conditions for eachstrain.

FIGS. 7A-7B. Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) is resistant to acid challenge.Bacterial cells were grown in TSB supplemented with 1% trehalose and0.75% arabinose at 37° C. with agitation for overnight to saturation.Ty21a and its derivatives from each indicated strains were harvested andassayed for GLNase and GAD activity (FIG. 7A). Cultures were 1:20diluted into pH 2.5 acid medium containing 1.5 mM glutamine and viablecounts were determined for each time point. S. sonnei 53G form II: blacksquares; Ty21a: gray circles; Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26): gray opentriangles; Ty21a-YBC (clone #1-28): black circles; Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone#34-1): black open triangles (FIG. 7B). Shown here are results obtainedfrom at least three independent experiments (average ±SD).

FIG. 8. Increased concentrations of glutamine enhances acid resistanceof Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1). Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) strain wasgrown in TSB supplemented with 1% trehalose and 0.75% arabinose at 37°C. with agitation for overnight to saturation. Cultures were 1:20diluted into pH 2.5 acid medium containing indicated amounts glutamineand viable counts were determined for each time point. Results wereobtained from at least duplicate independent experiments (average ±SD).

FIGS. 9A-9B. Mice immunized with Ty21a-Sso through the intraperitonealroute produced extremely high levels of serum antibodies against both S.sonnei (FIG. 9A) and S. Typhi (FIG. 9B).

FIGS. 10A-10B. Mice immunized with Ty21a-Sso through the intranasalroute produced high levels of serum antibodies against both Shigellasonnei (FIG. 10A) and Salmonella Typhi (FIG. 10B).

FIG. 11. A representative immunoblot from one of the two random vialsfrom the seed bank for Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26).

FIG. 12. Serum IgG antibody responses of mice in which Ty21a Sso (clone#9-26) or Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) was administered intranasally wasassessed by ELISA.

FIG. 13. Serum antibody responses to Salmonella groups O 9, 12-antigens,the native O-antigens expressed on Ty21a surface that induced protectiveimmunity against typhoid fever.

FIG. 14. Shows protection from lethal S. sonnei 53G I infection afteradministration of Ty21a-Sso or Ty21a-YBC-Sso vaccine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

“Biosynthetic” as used herein means produced by a process whereby one ormore substrates are converted to more complex products within a livingorganism or cell.

“Deoxyribonucleic acid” or “DNA,” is a polynucleotide assembled in aparticular sequence that encodes a polypeptide. DNA as used herein caninclude a promoter and/or other transcription or translation controlelements operably associated with one or more coding regions. Anoperable association is when a coding region for a gene product, e.g., apolypeptide, is associated with one or more regulatory sequences in sucha way as to place expression of the gene product under the influence orcontrol of the regulatory sequence(s).

“Nucleic acid” refers to any one or more nucleic acid segments, e.g.,DNA fragments, present in a polynucleotide. Unless otherwise indicated,a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompassesconservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codonsubstitutions) and complementary sequences as well as the sequenceexplicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions maybe achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of oneor more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed-base and/ordeoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al. (1991) Nucleic Acid Res. 19:5081;Ohtsuka et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260:2605-2608; Cassol et al.(1992); Rossolini et al. (1994) Mol. Cell. Probes 8:91-98).

“Sequence identity” as used herein refers to a relationship between twoor more polynucleotide sequences or between two or more polypeptidesequences. When a position in one sequence is occupied by the samenucleic acid base or amino acid residue in the corresponding position ofthe comparator sequence, the sequences are said to be “identical” atthat position. The percentage “sequence identity” is calculated bydetermining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acidbase or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to yield the numberof “identical” positions. The number of “identical” positions is thendivided by the total number of positions in the comparison window andmultiplied by 100 to yield the percentage of “sequence identity.”Percentage of “sequence identity” is determined by comparing twooptimally aligned sequences over a comparison window. In order tooptimally align sequences for comparison, the portion of apolynucleotide or polypeptide sequence in the comparison window maycomprise additions or deletions termed gaps while the reference sequenceis kept constant. An optimal alignment is that alignment which, evenwith gaps, produces the greatest possible number of “identical”positions between the reference and comparator sequences. The terms“sequence identity” and “identical” are used interchangeably herein.Accordingly, sequences sharing a percentage of “sequence identity” areunderstood to be that same percentage “identical.” In some embodiments,the percentage “sequence identity” between two sequences can bedetermined using the program “BLAST 2 Sequences” which was availablefrom the National Center for Biotechnology Information, which programincorporates the programs BLASTN (for nucleotide sequence comparison)and BLASTP (for polypeptide sequence comparison), which programs arebased on the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA 90(12):5873-5877, 1993).

A “gene” refers to a locus (or region) of DNA, which is made up ofnucleotides that can that can be transcribed into RNA that encode apolypeptide.

“Gene region” as used herein refers to a location within chromosomal DNAthat encodes one or more polypeptides of interest (e.g., an antigen).

“Gene system” as used herein refers to one or more genes that encode oneor more polypeptides which when expressed in concert produce a desiredeffect.

“Variant,” as used herein, refers to a polypeptide that differs from therecited polypeptide due to amino acid substitutions, deletions,insertions, and/or modifications.

“Functional variant” includes polypeptides that retain at least some ofthe properties of the corresponding wild-type polypeptide. For example,in some embodiments, the functional variant of an antigen retains atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or100% antigenicity and/or protective immunity of the correspondingwild-type antigen.

“Transgenic” as used herein refers to an organism or cell that comprisesa gene, a gene region, and/or a gene system that has been transferred toit by genetic engineering techniques.

“Integrated into” as used herein refers to incorporating a heterologousDNA (e.g., a gene, a gene region, and/or a gene system) into achromosomal DNA.

“Heterologous” as used herein means from a different organism, cell typeor species.

“Transformation,” “transfection,” and “transduction” refer to methods oftransferring nucleic acid (i.e., a recombinant DNA) into a cell. Thetransferred nucleic acid can be introduced into a cell via an expressionvector such as a plasmid, usually comprising components essential forselection, expression of target gene(s), and/or replication in the hostcell.

“Stably expressed” as used herein refers to expression of a heterologousgene, a gene region and/or a gene system that has been integrated intochromosomal DNA in a fashion that is reproducible through multiple cellpassages and/or under a broad range of physiologic conditions.

“Acid stability” as used herein refers to the ability of cells to remainviable at low pH.

An “antigen” (also referred to as an immunogen) as used herein is amolecule capable of inducing an immune response in a host organism(e.g., a human) that is specific to that molecule.

“Immune response” as used herein means a response in a host organism,e.g., a human, to the introduction of an immunogen (e.g., a transgenicTy21a of the application) generally characterized by, but not limitedto, production of antibodies and/or T cells. In some embodiments, animmune response may be a cellular response such as induction oractivation of CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells specific for an antigen, ahumoral response of increased production of pathogen-specificantibodies, or both cellular and humoral responses.

“Vaccine” as used herein is a composition comprising an immunogenicagent (e.g., an immunogen or antigen) and a pharmaceutically acceptablediluent or carrier, optionally in combination with excipient, adjuvantand/or additive or protectant.

In certain embodiments, when a vaccine is administered to a subject, theimmunogen (e.g., a transgenic Ty21a of the application) stimulates animmune response that will, upon subsequent exposure to an infectiousagent, protect the subject from illness or mitigate the pathology,symptoms or clinical manifestations caused by that agent. In someembodiments, a therapeutic (treatment) vaccine is given after infectionand is intended to reduce or arrest disease progression. In someembodiments, preventive (prophylactic) vaccine is intended to preventinitial infection or reduce the rate or burden of the infection.

“Carrier” as used herein refers to a substance that renders acomposition suitable for pharmaceutical use. In some embodiments, thecarrier is selected from the group consisting of water, PBS, saline, orany combination thereof. In another embodiment the carrier is selectedfrom the group consisting of sucrose, ascorbic acid, amino acid mixture,lactose, magnesium stearate, or any combination thereof,

“Conferring protective immunity” refers to providing to a subject (i.e.,an individual) or a human population (e.g., at least 10 subjects) theability to generate an immune response to protect against a disease(e.g., shigellosis or typhoid fever) caused by subsequent exposure to apathogen (e.g., a bacteria) such that the clinical manifestations,pathology, or symptoms of disease are reduced during subsequent exposureto the pathogen as compared to a non-treated subject, or such that therate at which infection, or clinical manifestations, pathology, orsymptoms of disease appear within a population are reduced, as comparedto a non-treated population.

“Human population” as used herein refers to a group of humans which canbe represented by a defined number of subjects, e.g., at least 10subjects.

“Dose” as used herein refers to a distinct administration event to asubject.

“Immunized” as used herein means sufficiently vaccinated to achieve aprotective immune response.

In certain embodiments, as used herein, the term “about” means plus orminus 5% of the numerical value of the number with which it is beingused. Therefore, about 85% means in the range of 80% to 90% as describedherein.

Compositions

This invention discloses the preparation and use of Ty21a vectors toexpress foreign immunogens, e.g., Shigella sonnei or E. coli genes. Insome embodiments, the attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar typhivaccine Ty21a as an expression vector for Shigella sonnei genes, e.g.,stably integrated into the Ty21a chromosome. In some embodiments, theattenuated Salmonella enterica serovar typhi vaccine Ty21a as anexpression vector for Enterotoxogenic E. coli (ETEC) antigens, e.g.,stably integrated into the Ty21a chromosome.

In addition to providing bivalent protection against both typhoid feverand shigellosis, integration of an acid resistance cassette providesacid stability and enhances viability of recombinant Ty21a as it passesthrough the stomach where conditions are acidic, thereby providing formore stable gene expression. This can also eliminate the need forgelatin capsules or liquid formulations and provides temperaturestabilization and extended shelf life.

In some embodiments, of Ty21a vector used to express foreign immunogensis a transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a comprising a heterologousShigella sonnei O-antigen biosynthetic gene region and a heterologousacid resistance biosynthetic gene system, said biosynthetic O-antigengene region and said acid resistance biosynthetic gene system both beingintegrated into the Salmonella typhi Ty21a chromosome.

In an embodiment, the heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigenbiosynthetic gene region of the transgenic Ty21a comprises a wzz gene.In some embodiments, the wzz gene comprises a DNA sequence that sharesat least 90%, at least 95%, or 100% sequence identity with the DNAsequence of nucleic acids 4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or acomplementary sequence thereof, the DNA sequence of nucleic acids4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequencethereof, or a DNA sequence that encodes a functional variant of thepolypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,511,904 to4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigenbiosynthetic gene region of the transgenic Ty21a comprises a DNAsequence that shares at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the DNA sequence ofnucleic acids 4,500,076 to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementarysequence thereof, the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,500,076 to4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof; or a DNAsequence that encodes a functional variant of the polypeptide encoded bythe DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,500,076 to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4or a complementary sequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the transgenic Ty21a heterologous acid resistancebiosynthetic gene system comprises a YbaS gene. In some embodiments, theYbaS gene comprises a DNA sequence that shares at least 90%, at least91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identitywith the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ IDNO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof; the DNA sequence of nucleicacids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequencethereof, or a DNA sequence that encodes a functional variant of thepolypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240 to4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof.

In an embodiment, the transgenic Ty21a comprises a nucleic acid insertcomprising AraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso O Ag wzz+. In some embodiments, theAraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso O Ag wzz+ insert comprises a DNA sequence thatshares at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least99%, or 100% sequence identity with the DNA sequence of nucleic acids4,500,075-4,518,404 of SEQ ID NO:6 or a complementary sequence thereof,the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,500,075-4,518,404 of SEQ ID NO:6 ora complementary sequence thereof; or a DNA sequence that encodes afunctional variant of the polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence ofnucleic acids 4,500,075-4,518,404 of SEQ ID NO:6 or a complementarysequence thereof.

In some embodiments, the transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a vectorcomprises a nucleic acid sequence that shares at least 90%, at least91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identitywith the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ IDNO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, or a complementary sequence thereof.

The use of Ty21a as a vector platform to express foreign immunogensderived from other infectious agents as transgenes addresses severalsignificant challenges in the field of vaccine development: 1) The lackof a licensed vaccine for prevention of morbidity and mortality due toshigellosis; 2) The need for a multivalent vaccine that willsimultaneously protect against multiple disease agents (e.g., typhoidfever and S. sonnei shigellosis), and 3) The need for aneasy-to-administer, child-friendly, safe, oral vaccine vector platformfor stable expression and administration of multiple foreign antigens,that generates long term efficacy following a rapid immunization regimenand can be distributed without the need for refrigeration. Thesechallenges are addressed by the bivalent typhoid/shigellosis vaccinedisclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a of the inventioncomprises a heterologous Enterotoxogenic E. coli (ETEC) antigenbiosynthetic gene region and, optionally, a heterologous acid resistancebiosynthetic gene system, said ETEC biosynthetic gene region and saidoptional acid resistance biosynthetic gene system both being integratedinto the Salmonella typhi Ty21a chromosome, wherein:

-   -   a. heterologous ETEC antigen is stably expressed;    -   b. one or more heterologous acid resistance enzymes are stably        expressed;    -   c. said transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a is more stable at pH        2.5 than Salmonella typhi Ty21a without the inserted acid        resistance biosynthetic gene system;    -   d. an immune response is elicited against virulent        Enterotoxogenic E. coli challenge; and/or    -   e. an immune response is elicited against virulent Salmonella        typhi challenge.

Methods of Use

As used herein, a “human population” is a designated group of humanindividuals, e.g., at least two individuals. For example, a humanpopulation comprises those individuals participating in a clinicaltrial, or individuals that have received a vaccine and are thenchallenged to assess protection.

In certain embodiments, administration of a vaccine or composition ofthe invention to a human population reduces the incidence ofshigellosis, typhoid fever, or both in that human populationsubsequently exposed to pathogenic Shigella sonnei and/or S. typhi.

In certain embodiments, a method of treating, preventing, or reducingthe incidence of shigellosis and/or typhoid fever in a human subject isdisclosed, e.g., comprising oral administration of one or more doses ofa vaccine or composition of the invention.

In some embodiments, the administration route is oral or nasal. In someembodiments, the administration (e.g., immunization) and/or infectionroute is oral (per os). In another embodiment, the administration (e.g.,immunization) route is nasal. The major barrier for a live oral vaccineis the extreme low pH the vaccine encounters in the stomach. Salmonelladoes not survive well under conditions <pH 3, while most E. coli strainsand Shigella spp. can maintain viability in stomach for several hours[21,22]. The ability of Shigella, and the inability of Salmonella, tosurvive at low pH may partially explain why only 10-100 Shigella cellsare sufficient to cause infection, while the infective dose forSalmonella spp. ranges at ˜10⁵ CFU. Salmonella expresses acid toleranceresponse (ATR) genes in response to moderately low pH, which protect thecells from acid challenge as low as pH 3 [21, 23-26]. Ty21a inherited anrpoS mutation from its parental strain Ty2 [27], and carries other lesswell defined mutations from the random mutagenesis process during strainattenuation [28]. Perhaps because of these mutations, Ty21a develops apoor ATR response and is particularly sensitive to low pH [29]. However,Ty21a viability is important for vaccine efficacy, as a previous reportdemonstrated that, when administered orally, live Ty21a elicitedstronger and longer lasting immune responses in humans than killed Ty21a[30]. To facilitate the journey from mouth to ileum without beingeliminated in the gastric acid environment, Ty21a is presently placed inenteric-coated capsules that withstand gastric low pH. Additionally,when administered as a liquid with a buffer, Ty21a was more protective[12]. On the other hand, capsules are child-unfriendly and adverselyimpact compliance. Also, the Ty21a liquid formulation has beencommercially unsuccessful, in part because it is cumbersome.

To obviate the need for special capsules or liquid formulation inbuffer, increase bioavailability, reduce dosage requirements, andincrease immunogenicity, Ty21a has been rendered acid stable. There are5 bacterial acid resistance (AR) pathways, which utilize excess protonsto decarboxylate a specific amino acid (e.g. aspartic acid,phenylalanine, lysine, or glutamic acid), and an antiporter thattransports the decarboxylated product extracellularly [31,32]. Theability of E. coli, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes and Lactococcuslactis to withstand extreme acidic pH (below pH 2.5) primarily relies onthe most potent AR system, AR2, also known as the glutamate-dependentacid resistance (GDAR) pathway [21,33]. AR2 consists of the enzymeglutamate decarboxylase (GAD), encoded by the homologous genes gadA andgadB, and a membrane bound antiporter, encoded by the gene gadC. The twoGAD isoforms, GadA and GadB, consume an intracellular proton todecarboxylate glutamate, producing γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and CO₂[23, 34-37] while GadC pumps the substrate (glutamate) and product(GABA) in and out of the cell (FIG. 1A and reviewed in [35]). Genes ofthe two GAD isoforms are located in two distinct chromosomal loci, withgadB and gadC transcribed as a dicistronic operon, and gadA from aseparate gene locus [35,38,39]. GadA and GadB are highly similar, withsequence identity of 96.5% at nucleotide level and 98.7% at proteinlevel. Deletion of either gadA or gadB does not affect the cell's ARability, suggesting these two isozymes are functionally redundant.Recently, a newly discovered glutamine-dependent AR system in E. coli[40] and Lactobacillus reuteri [43] was reported. In E. coli, apreviously uncharacterized bacterial glutaminase A, encoded by the geneybaS, converts glutamine into glutamate in acidic conditions andreleases an ammonium, neutralizing an intracellular proton [40].Interestingly, the antiporter responsible for substrate-producttransportation across cell membrane is also GadC [40], consistent withthe broad substrate specificity of GadC in vitro [41]. Because theproduct of glutaminase is precisely the substrate of GAD, the YbaS-GadCand GAD-GadC systems work in concert to convert a glutamine moleculeinto GABA, neutralizing two protons in the cell (FIG. 1B and [40]),thereby doubling the proton-reducing capacity of the system. Thisconcerted AR system functions more efficiently than the GAD-GadC systemalone.

In addition to providing bivalent protection against both typhoid feverand shigellosis, in some embodiments, integration of an acid resistancecassette eliminates the need for gelatin capsules or liquid formulationsand provides temperature stabilization and extended shelf life.

Materials and Methods

Bacterial strains and growth conditions. Bacterial strains used orgenerated in the Examples are listed in Table I. Ty21a was commerciallypurchased as enteric-coated capsules from Vivotif Berna Vaccinepharmaceutical (Crucell, Fla., USA). A seed bank was made in the CYmedium (1.2% yeast extract, 2% Hy-Case, 1.2% pepticase, 0.125% NaH₂PO₄,0.33% NaCl, pH 7.2, with 0.2% glucose and 0.005% galactose), which isalso adopted by Vivotif for production [10]. Shigella sonnei 53G was agift from Dr. Dennis J. Kopecko [42]. Form I S. sonnei 53G was selectedfrom form II S. sonnei based on a smooth colony morphology on a trypticsoy agar (TSA) plate at least once before use. Competent E. coli NEB5acells for cloning were purchased from New England Biolabs (NEB, Ipswich,Mass.). Ty21a and derivatives were grown in TSA or tryptic soy broth(TSB) supplemented with 0.02% galactose. S. sonnei strains were grown inTSA or TSB. E. coli strains were grown in Luria-Bertaini (LB) broth oragar.

Plasmids. Plasmids used or generated in the Examples are listed in TableI. Standard molecular biology techniques are used for cloning. Enzymesfor cloning and Phusion high-fidelity PCR master mix were purchased fromNEB. The integrity of all plasmid generated in this study was confirmedby DNA sequencing analysis.

-   -   (i) Construction of pMDTV::Sso O Ag (wzz-). Sequences of the S.        sonnei form I O antigen gene cluster were PCR amplified from        genomic DNA of form I S. sonnei 53G. Primers SalI-wzz-496F        (5′-tacagtcGAC ATAGATTTCC AGAGAAAATC AG-3′) and BamHI-wzy-D99R        (5′-attggatcCA TTGCTCAGTC CGGTTGGT-3′) were used to amplify part        of wzz gene through wzy. Primers BamHI-wbgV-U14F (5′-attggatccA        AGCGCAGCTA TTTAGGATG-3′) and XhoI-aqpZ-D5R (5′-acatctcgaG        CTGGTTAATT TACGGGGTG-3′) were used to amplify full-length wbgV        through aqpZ. The two PCR products were first cloned into        pUC19-based vector for DNA amplification and sequence        verification and then subcloned sequentially into pMDTV vector        within SalI-XhoI sites as illustrated in the schematic diagram        in (as pWR101 wzz− of FIGS. 2A, 2B).    -   (ii) Construction of pMDTV::Sso O Ag wzz+. Cloning procedures        were the same as that of pMDTV::Sso O Ag (wzz-) except primer        SalI-wzz-ml-U100F (5′-TACAgtcgac GCGCTTTGGG AGCTGAAACT-3′) was        used instead of SalI-wzz-496F so that the PCR fragment included        the full-length wzz gene as well a 100-bp upstream sequence        containing a putative promoter and ribosome binding site (as        pSs046 wzz+ of FIGS. 2A, 2B).    -   (iii) Construction of pUC19::TviD-AraC-GAD-KanR-VexA. Sequences        of tviD, a flippase-recognization target (FRT) site-flanked        kanamycin resistant cassette (KanR), and vexA were from pMIDTV        [19]. Sequence of AraC and the arabinose-inducible promoter        (P_(ara)) was from pKD46. Sequences of GadA, GadB and GadC (GAD)        were PCR amplified from pGAD containing Shigella flexneri 2a        gadA, gadB and gadC gene sequences as a consecutive        polycistronic operon. DNA sequences were either subcloned or        PCR-cloned into a pUC19 based vector in the order (5′ to 3′) as        described in the plasmid name and the expression of GadA, GadB,        and GadC is driven by P_(ara).    -   (iv) pUC19::TviD-AraC-YbaS-GadBC-KanR-VexA. Sequence of ybaS        gene was PCR amplified from S. sonnei 53G genomic DNA and cloned        into pUC19::TviD-AraC-GAD-KanR-VexA to replace GadA. Expression        of YbaS, GadB, and GadC is driven under P_(ara).    -   (v) Construction of pTIKV::AraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso OAg. The        NheI-SacII fragment of pMDTV::Lpp-F1V-HlyAs, containing the pGB2        backbone, was used to replace the pUC19 backbone of        pUC19::TviD-AraC-YbaS-GadBC-KanR-VexA, resulting        pTIKV::AraC-YbaS-GadBC. The XhoI-SpeI fragment of        pTIKV::AraC-YbaS-GadBC, containing the KanR-VexA sequence, was        subcloned into the XhoI-SpeI fragment of pMDTV::Sso O Ag wzz+ to        replace the VexA sequence. The NheI-XhoI fragment of        pTIKV::AraC-YbaS-GadBC, containing the TviD, AraC, YbaS, and        GadBC sequences, were then subcloned into the NheI-SalI sites of        the cloning intermediate, resulting a final product        pTIKV::AraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso O Ag wzz+.

Construction of Ty21a derivatives. Strains generated in the Examples arelisted in Table I. Unless otherwise specified, PCR fragment wasamplified from the constructed plasmid described above by the Phusionhigh-fidelity PCR using Primers TviD-2004F (5′-TGATTGCTAA CGTCATGAGC-3′)and VexA-1066R (5′-AGAAAGAATT AGTGCCGCGG-3′) and genome integration wasas described by the k Red recombination-based recombineering technology)[19,43]. The KanR selectable marker was deleted from the chromosomalintegrants by transforming cells with pCP20 and selecting for Kanstransformants as described [19,44]. Chromosomal integration andselection marker eviction were confirmed by genomic PCR analysis andantibiotics sensitivity tests.

-   -   (i) Ty21a-Sso and Ty21a-Sso wzz+. SpeI-linearized plasmids        pMDTV::Sso O Ag (wzz-) and pMDTV::Sso O Ag wzz+ were used as PCR        templates, resulting in a PCR product that contains the 3′ ˜500        bp of tviD gene, KanR, the Sso form I O Ag gene cluster without        or with wzz expression, and ˜1000 bp of the vexA gene. The tviD        and vexA sequences provide homology for site-specific DNA        recombination. The PCR fragment was integrated into the Ty21a        chromosome as described above. Expression of S. sonnei form I O        antigen and Salmonella Typhi 09, 12 antigens were confirmed by        Western blot analysis of extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS,        described below) or immunofluorescence assay (described below).    -   (ii) Ty21a-ABC and Ty21a-YBC. The NheI-SacII fragment of        pUC19::TviD-AraC-GAD-KanR-VexA or        pUC19::TviD-AraC-YbaS-GadBC-KanR-VexA was liberated by        restriction enzymes, gel purified, and used to transform Ty21a        for chromosome integration as described above, resulting        Ty21a-ABC (short for GadA, GadB, and GadC) and Ty21a-YBC (for        YbaS GadB, GadC). Expression of YbaS, GadA/GadB, and GadC upon        arabinose induction was confirmed by biochemical activity assays        (described below in GAD and glutaminase assays) and cell        viability upon acid challenge was assessed by acid resistance        assay (described below).    -   (iii) Ty21a-ABC-Sso and Ty21a-YBC-Sso. SpeI-linearized        pTIKV::AraC-YbaS-GadBC-Sso OAg was used as template DNA for PCR        amplification. Due to the low PCR amplification yield, PCR        primers GadC-1F (5′-ATGGCTACAT CAGTACAGAC-3′) and VexA-1066R        were used, producing a PCR product comprising GadC, Sso O Ag        cluster with full-length wzz, KanR, and VexA. The PCR fragment        was integrated into the chromosome of Ty21a-ABC or Ty21a-YBC as        described above. Expression of S. sonnei form I O antigen and        Salmonella Typhi 09, 12 antigens were confirmed by Western blot        analysis of extracted LPS or immunofluorescence assay.        Expression of YbaS, GadA/GadB, and GadC upon arabinose induction        was confirmed by biochemical activity assays and cell viability        upon acid challenge was assessed by acid resistance assay.

Western blot analyses. O antigens were extracted using an LPS ExtractionKit (iNtRON Bio, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea) followed by proteinase K(NEB) treatment in 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 at 37° C. for Overnight.Immediately before loading onto gel, purified LPS was digested byproteinase K in 0.5% SDS at 56° C. for 1 hr. Samples were then heated at95° C. for 5 min and resolved on a 4-20% Tris-glycine SDS-PAGE gel.Resolved samples from the gel were transferred to a PVDF membrane andblotted with either a rabbit anti-S. sonnei serum (Abcam) pre-absorbedwith Ty21a and form II S. sonnei 53G or a rabbit anti-Ty21a serum (SimBKL et al., 2015, in submission).

Immunofluorescence assay. Cells were fixed by directly adding formalin(37% formaldehyde) to a bacterial culture to a final concentration of10% and incubated at ambient temperature for 20 minutes on a rotaryshaker. The fixed cells were washed three times with PBS before spottedon a glass slide and air-dried overnight. The slide was blocked with 1%bovine serum albumin (BSA) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at ambienttemperature for 30 min before reacting with first antibodies ofpre-absorbed rabbit anti-S. sonnei form I serum and mouse anti-Ty21aserum diluted in 1% BSA in PBS at 37° C. for 30 min [Sim BKL et al.,2015, submitted for publication]. Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goatanti-rabbit IgG and Alexa Fluor 564-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (LifeTechnologies) were used as secondary antibodies and mounting fluidcontaining DAPI (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, Calif.) were used forDNA counter-staining. Samples were visualized and images captured on anOlympus DP70 digital microscope camera system and images were processedby DP manager.

Glutaminase and GAD activity assays. Glutaminase and GAD assays weremodified from a previously published GAD assay [45]. The glutaminasereagent consisted of 0.1% L-glutamine (Sigma), 9% NaCl, and 0.1 mg/mLbromocresol green (Sigma), pH 3.6 and the GAD reagent consisted of 0.1%L-glutamic acid (Sigma), 9% NaCl, and 5 mg/mL bromocresol green (pH3.4). 1 OD of cells (defined as the equivalent of 1 mL of culture withan absorbance at 600 nm of 1.0, corresponding to ˜10⁹ viable cells) werepelleted and resuspended in 0.5 mL of glutaminase or GAD reagent. Tubeswere incubated at 37° C. for 1 hr. A change of color from yellow togreenish-blue or blue was considered a positive and a yellow color wasscored as negative.

Acid resistance assay. Acid buffer (50 mM citric acid, 50 mM phosphoricacid, 0.9% NaCl, pH 2.5) was prepared and sterilized by filteringthrough 0.2 m. Glutamine was freshly prepared on the day of experimentby dissolving glutamine powder in 1 N HCl to a final concentration of0.3 M. NaOH was added according to the amount of glutamine added toneutralize the acidity from HCl. Unless otherwise indicated, cells weregrown in TSB+0.02% galactose+1% trehalose (Tre)+0.75% arabinose (Ara) at37° C. for overnight with agitation at 220 rpm. The next day, thesaturating culture was diluted 1:20 into acid medium (acid buffersupplemented with 0.75% arabinose and glutamine at indicatedconcentration) and incubated at 37° C. with agitation. At indicated timepoints, an aliquot of culture was taken out, diluted in DPBS (Hyclone),and cultures with proper dilution were either spotted 5 μL/spot (for aspot assay) or spread 100 μL/plate (for a plate enumeration) on TSAplate. Plates were incubated at 37° C. for 1 day and bacterial growthwas quantified. Cell viability at a given time point is expressed as thefraction of mean viable counts with respect to that at 0 time point.

Results

Construction of a recombinant Ty21a strain with a stable chromosomalintegrant of S. sonnei form I O-antigen gene cluster has be disclosed byinventors including a co-inventor herein [19]. It was found however,that Ty21a strain was constructed from a lab strain that had beenpropagated over decades and the donor DNA for S. sonnei form I O-antigengenes was a plasmid derived from multiple subclonings [46] and has an ISelement interruption at the wzz gene compared with the sequences fromanother independently published report, pSs046 [47]. Therefore, were-constructed the vaccine strain from a cell bank made fromcommercially purchased Ty21a Vivotif® pharmaceutical capsules (Crucell)and S. sonnei 53G form I [42] to ensure that the vaccine strainsdisclosed herein have trackable pedigrees.

The transgenic constructs disclosed herein have at least the followingimprovements as compared to the Ty21a-Sso combinatorial vaccinecandidate in Int. Publ. number WO2014043637 A1): (1) inclusion of thefull-length S. sonnei wzz gene that encodes the O-antigen length controlprotein together with the rest of the gene cluster, which renders S.sonnei form I O-antigen expressed on Ty21a surface exhibiting bettermorphologically resemblance to the native form on S. sonnei; (2)co-expression from Ty21a chromosome with the S. sonnei form I genecluster a concerted glutamine/glutamate-dependent acid resistance genes,including acid-activated glutaminase YbaS, glutamate decarboxylase GadB,and glutamate-GABA antiporter GadC, which enhance acid resistance of thesaid vaccine strain and presumably facilitate gastric transit of thebacterial vaccine and induce more potent and long-lasting immuneresponses in vaccines.

Immunogenicity of Recombinant Ty21a-Ss vaccine strains in mice wasassessed. Example 9 provides the results from ELISA assays of the seraof mice in which Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) and Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1)was administered intranasally. Example 10 provides the results of serumantibody response of immunized mice to Salmonella groups O 9,12-antigens, the native O-antigens expressed on Ty21a surface thatinduced protective immunity against typhoid fever. Examples 9 and 10,taken together, demonstrate that the S. sonnei form I O-antigenexpressed on the cell surface of the recombinant vaccine strains wasimmunogenic when administered through mucosal routes. Meanwhile,recombinant Ty21a-Sso strains retained the immunogenicity of Ty21a andstimulated anti-Salmonella groups 9, 12 O-antigens at a level similar tothe Ty21a vector. Moreover, co-expression of the AR genes did not affectthe immunogenicity of the S. sonnei form I or the Salmonella groups 9,12 O-antigens. Activation of AR genes slightly enhanced the antibodytiters to both S. sonnei form I and Salmonella groups 9, 12 O-antigens,although the differences are not statistically significant.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Stable Integration and Expression of S. sonnei (Sso) Form I O-Antigenfrom Ty21a Chromosome, Free of Antibiotic Resistance Gene

The sequence of form I O-antigen gene cluster from the genomic DNA of S.sonnei 53G form I was amplified and inserted it into the silent Vi generegion of Ty21a chromosome between the tviD and vexA sequences usinggenetic recombineering technology [19] (FIGS. 2A-2C). The insert spannedfrom the wzz ORF through the end of the aqp gene, with the exception ofthe insertional element IS630 between the wzy and wbgVgenes. Because ofthe divergence of wzz in two published reports [46,47], both an wzz−strain resembling the previous Ty21a-Ss construct [19], in which thegene cluster encompasses from the 3′-612 bp of wzz through the end ofaqp genes, and a wzz+ strain, in which full-length wzz sequence and a100-bp upstream sequence were included in the insert, were constructed.The 100-bp upstream sequence covers the conserved 5′ border of O-antigenclusters [47] and a Shine-Dalgarno consensus sequence immediatelyupstream to wzz drives wzz expression.

After chromosome integration was confirmed, the selectable antibioticsmarker was deleted from the insert, leading to final, marker-lesschromosomal integrants, designated as Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1) andTy21a-Sso wzz+(clone #9-26). There were 6 nucleotide polymorphismsidentified within this cloned S. sonnei form I gene cluster sequence incomparison to the previous published sequence (pWR101) [46]. Five of thepolymorphisms were non-synonymous mutations and one was located withinintergenic region. By DNA sequencing of independently amplified PCRfragments it was confirmed that these polymorphisms were present in S.sonnei 53G form I genome. Moreover, three of the polymorphisms arepresent in the sequence of pSs046 [47]. Therefore, these polymorphismsarose from variation between lab isolates.

Example 2

S. sonnei Wzz Gene Promote Uniform Distribution of S. sonnei Form IO-Antigen on Ty21a Cell Surface, Resembling the Native S. sonnei Form IO-Antigen

Expression of the S. sonnei form I O-antigen in the wzz− Ty21a-Sso(clone #3-1) and wzz+Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) strains was examined. ByWestern blot analyses, both clones expressed S. sonnei form I O-antigen(FIG. 3A) at comparable levels. Similar to [19], the majority of theform I O-antigen was expressed in the form of group 4 capsule, althougha low level of LPS form was detected. Despite the expression of S.sonnei form I O-antigen on the cell surface, the expression ofSalmonella groups O 9, 12-antigen from the two Ty21a-Sso strains wereshown to be of similar levels as compared to that of Ty21a (FIG. 3B).O-antigen expression was further visualized by immunofluorescence assay(IFA). The results showed that with Ty21a (FIG. 3C, Salmonella groups 9and 12 O-antigens only) and S. sonnei (FIG. 3D, form I O-antigen only)the antibodies were specific and the native O-antigens are expresseduniformly on the cell surface. Both Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1) and Ty21a-Sso(clone #9-26) expressed both Salmonella groups O 9, 12-antigen and S.sonnei form I O-antigen on the cell (FIGS. 3E, 3F). Of note, bothTy21a-Sso (clone #3-1) and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) expressed S. sonneiform I O-antigen at 100% of cells examined. However, the morphology ofthe expressed S. sonnei form I O-antigen was slightly different. In thewzz− Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1) strain, S. sonnei form I O-antigen oftenappeared as non-homogeneous, punctuated dots on cell surface (FIG. 3E).On the other hand, S. sonnei form I O-antigen showed a much moreuniformed expression in the wzz+Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) (FIG. 3F).Similarly, uniformed expression was also observed from anotherindependently generated wzz+Ty21a-Sso clone (data not shown). Theseresults show that S. sonnei wzz contributes to the even distribution ofS. sonnei O-antigen along cell surface. Co-expression of wzz in Ty21amight also help the cell present S. sonnei form I O-antigen in a mannermore similar to the native form I O-antigen.

Example 3 Stable Integration and Expression of Acid Resistance Genes inTy21a to Enhance Cell Viability

AR genes were expressed in Ty21a vaccine candidates to enhance cellviability at low pH in the stomach, thereby augmenting itsimmunogenicity and protective efficacy. Expression of the AR2 genesgadA, gadB, and gadC in E. coli and Shigella is under a series ofcomplex regulation and that ofybaS has yet to be characterized.Activation of the AR2 pathway is dependent on the alternative sigmafactor, rpoS, which is mutated and only partially functional in Ty21a.

The arabinose-controlled promoter, P_(ara), which responds quickly tothe inducer and the activated arabinose-bound transcription factor AraCactivates robust gene transcription, was used in the constructsgenerated in this Example.

The AraC-P_(ara)-S. flexneri GadABC cassette was integrated into the vilocus of Ty21a chromosome, replacing the tviE ORF, using therecombineering technology. The final, marker-less, clone was designatedTy21a-ABC (clone #2-2) and the integrated sequence was confirmed bygenomic PCR. To confirm that the integrated genes were expressed andenzymatically active, Ty21a-ABC (clone #2-2) was subjected to a modifiedGAD assay, in which the Triton X-100 was omitted from the original GADreagent one [45]. In the absence of Triton X-100, the cell remainsintact and only a functional GadC can transport glutamate into the cell.Therefore, the modified GAD assay tests simultaneously both the abilityof GadA and/or GadB to decarboxylate glutamate and the ability of GadCto transport the substrate.

Bromocresol green in the GAD reagent served as a pH indicator. Cellsfrom culture were resuspended in the modified GAD reagent and reactionsthat turned greenish-blue in color were scored as GAD+. Ty21a, Ty21a-ABC(clone #2-2), and S. sonnei 53G form II were grown in TSB or TSBsupplemented with 1% trehalose (Tre) and/or 0.75% arabinose (Ara) at 37°C. with aeration overnight. Salmonella and Shigella produced alkalinicbyproducts in TSB; and the overnight culture was around pH 8. Tre andAra supported acid fermentation of Shigella; and Tre supported acidfermentation of Salmonella without inhibiting P_(ara) activity throughcatabolite repression. The resulting saturating culture was moderatelyacidic, at around pH 5.5. Ty21a did not encode a GAD enzyme and was GAD−in all culture conditions (FIG. 4, upper panel). Native gadA, gadB, andgadC genes in Shigella were quickly induced by acid. The GAD activity inS. sonnei 53G was positive for all culture conditions but cells from TSBalone showed lower activity (FIG. 4, middle panel). GAD activity ofTy21a-ABC (clone #2-2) was greatly induced by Ara, and the presence ofTre did not inhibit it (FIG. 4, bottom panel). Ty21a-ABC (clone #2-2)grown in TSB or TSB+Tre turned slightly GAD+, indicating low levels ofleaky expression. The integrated transgenes were expressed andenzymatically active in Ty21a-ABC (clone #2-2) in a controlled manner.

Example 4

Stable Integration and Expression of Glutaminase Gene ybaS in Ty21a toFurther Enhance Cell Viability

Database search revealed that Shigella genome encodes a highly conservedybaS gene, with only 2 out of 310 amino acids of the S. sonnei YbaSdifferent from the E. coli YbaS enzyme. To construct a concertedglutaminase-GAD AR system, the CDS ofybaS was cloned from S. sonneigenomic DNA to replace that of gadA in the AraC-P_(ara)-GadABC cassetteand integrated the resulting AraC-P_(ara)-YbaS-GadBC cassette into Ty21achromosome using recombineering technology. The resulting final,marker-less, strain was designated as Ty21a-YBC (clone #1-28). Geneintegration at the DNA level was confirmed by genomic PCR and enzymaticactivities of the transgenes were confirmed by the modified GAD (FIG.5A) and glutaminase (FIG. 5B) assays. Ty21a-YBC (clone #1-28) expressedboth GAD and glutaminase activities induced by arabinose, whileTy21a-ABC (clone #2-2) only exhibited arabinose-induced GAD but notglutaminase activity. The negative control Ty21a expressed none, whilethe positive control S. sonnei form II expressed both enzymes and didnot need arabinose to induce expression.

Example 5

Construction of an Acid Resistant Ty21a Expressing S. sonnei Form IO-Antigen

A Ty21a-Sso strain that is acid resistant was constructed. Because thesize of an insert containing both theAR cassette and S. sonnei form IO-antigen gene cluster is too large for PCR-amplification, the acidresistant Ty21a-Sso strains were generated by stably integrating thewzz+S. sonnei form I O antigen expression cassette into the chromosomeof Ty21a-ABC (clone #2-2) and Ty21a-YBC (clone #1-28) using gadC andvexA as homologous sequences for recombination. The resulting final,marker-less, strains were designated as Ty21a-ABC-Sso (clone #20-25) andTy21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1).

Because the arabinose-induced AR genes are upstream to the S. sonneiform I O antigen gene cluster, it was determined whether the presence ofarabinose affects 0-antigen expression. Strains were grown overnight inthe absence or presence of 1% arabinose and 0.75% arabinose and thesaturating cultures were visualized at single cell level using IFA (FIG.6). When arabinose was present in the culture medium, S. sonnei form I Oantigen expressed on Ty21a-ABC-Sso (clone #20-25) exhibited a punctuatedpattern similar to that from the wzz− Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1). On theother hand, expression of S. sonnei form I O antigen in Ty21a-YBC-Sso(clone #34-1) was not affected by arabinose; the cell displayeduniformed form I O antigen on cell surface morphologically similar tothat from S. sonnei form I and the wzz+Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) in thepresence and absence of arabinose. Based on this morphologicaladvantage, Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) was further tested as a candidatevaccine strain.

Example 6 Ty21a-YBC-Sso is Acid Resistant

The ability of Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) to survive at pH 2.5 wastested. Although Tre is not required for transgene expression,Salmonella needs acid fermentation to induce ATR, a prerequisite foracid resistance. Bacterial strains were grown in TSB+Tre+Ara withagitation to stationary phase and the strains showed the expressionpattern of glutaminase and GAD activities shown in FIG. 7A. Cultureswere diluted 1:20 in acid medium at pH 2.5 in the presence of 1.5 mMglutamine. Cultures were grown at 37° C. with agitation and viabilitywas examined at the indicated time point (FIG. 7B). S. sonnei 53G formII maintained ˜100% viability after 1 hr incubation at pH 2.5 (blacksquares) and ˜50% of the cells were still viable after 2 hr (data notshown). In contrast, Ty21a and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) survived poorlyat low pH. Cell viability was reduced by ˜10³-fold for Ty21a at 15 minand >10⁷-fold by 30 min (gray circles). Cell viability was furtherreduced in Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26), with no viable colony recovered evenafter 15 min exposure to acid at pH 2.5, equivalent to a >10⁸-foldreduction in viability (gray open triangles). Synthesis of the form IO-antigen may impose metabolic burden to the cell. Ty21a-YBC (clone#1-28) maintained greater than 50% viability at 30 min and ˜10% at 45min (black squares). However, the viability dropped to ˜1% at 1 hr andno viable colony was recovered after 2 hr (data not shown).Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) exhibited similar acid resistance asTy21a-YBC (clone #1-28) at 30 min, maintaining ˜50% viability. However,the cell viability quickly deteriorated, with ˜1% and ˜10⁻⁵ of cellsviable at 45 min and 1 hr, respectively (black open triangles).Increasing concentrations of glutamine in acid medium improvedTy21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) survival. With 6 mM glutamine in the pH 2.5medium, cell survival at 1 hr improved to ˜0.1%, and, at 12 mM and 20 mMglutamine, nearly 1% and 10% of cells remained viable after 1 hr at pH2.5 (FIG. 8). The ability of Ty21a-YBC (clone #1-28) and Ty21a-YBC-Sso(clone #34-1) vaccine strains to survive low pH was inferior to S.sonnei, however both strains expressed comparable levels GAD andglutaminase activities to that in S. sonnei. This result suggests thatthe AR system alone is necessary but insufficient to support acidresistance of Ty21a. These results showed that expression of theconcerted glutaminase-GAD AR system improved acid resistance and cellviability.

Example 7 Immunogenicity of Ty21a-Sso in Mice

10 mice were immunized intraperitoneally with 3 doses of Ty21a-Sso(clone #3-1), 5×10⁷ CFU/mouse at 2-week intervals. Two weeks after the3^(rd), high levels of serum IgG antibodies against both S. sonnei formI O-antigen and S. Typhi groups 9, 12 O-antigen by ELISA at OD 1.0, withgeometric mean titers at 666,151 (range 360,341-1,111,200) and 2,103(range 755-3,529), respectively, were detected in the mice. Incomparison, a pooled serum obtained from mice immunized with a Ty21astrain containing an irrelevant antigen (Ty21a-PA-01) through the samedose regimen and immunization route produced negligible anti-S. sonneiserum IgG antibodies (ELISA OD 1.0 titer was 10⁶) but comparable levelsof anti-S. Typhi antibodies (ELISA OD 1.0 titer was 2,864) (FIGS.9A-9B).

To assess if Ty21a-Sso is immunogenic when introduced via the mucosalroute, and to compare the wzz− strain Ty21a-Sso (clone #3-1) and thewzz+ strain Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26), three groups of 20 mice wereimmunized intranasally with 4 doses of 1×10⁹ CFU/mouse Ty21a, Ty21a-Sso(clone #3-1), and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) at 2-week interval. 2 weeksafter the 3^(rd) and the 4^(th) doses, sera were collected and serum IgGlevels assessed by ELISA at OD 1.0. The Ty21a vector control inducedserum IgG antibodies against S. sonnei form I O-antigen at a levelsimilar to that of Ty21a-PA-01 (FIG. 10A), with the geometric meantiters of 340 (range 23-5,823) and 523 (range 48-3,393) for the 3^(rd)and₄ ^(th) dose, respectively, as compared to 106. Both Ty21a-Sso (clone#3-1) and Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) induced serum IgG antibodies at asignificantly higher level than the Ty21a control, with geometric meanELISA OD 1.0 titers at 6,321 (range 1,730-14,776) and 6,429 (range611-20,451) after the 3^(rd) dose, and 1,815 (range 511-8839) and 2,200(range 317-7,218) after the 4^(th) dose, respectively. The antibodylevels were higher than that from a previously published LPS-proteinconjugated vaccine candidate, which showed protection against S. sonneiinfection in guinea pigs [20]. The present results showed that Ty21a-Ssoinduced mucosal immune responses.

Example 8

Recombinant Ty21a-Ss s Vaccine Strain Maintains Stable Expression of S.sonnei Form I O-Antigen for Up to 200 Generations

A genetic seedbank was generated for the vaccine strain Ty21a-Sso (clone#9-26). Characterization of the Ty21a-Sso seedbank and the specificationare as listed in Table II. Two random vials from the seed bank werecharacterized as previously published [50]. Ty21a (Vivotif), S. entericaserovar Typhi strain Ty2, and E. coli strain HB101 were controls. Allmicrobiological, biochemical, immunological, and genetic propertiesexamined were as expected. The stability of the S. sonnei form IO-antigen expression in Ty21a-Sso was also examined (FIG. 11). Cellswere grown under non-selective conditions for a total of 200generations. 100 colonies from each culture were plated onto a TSAplate, transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane, and analyzed for S.sonnei form I O-antigen expression by colony immunoblot. All of 100colonies of Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) tested retained S. sonnei form IO-antigen expression, demonstrating 100% stability of the chromosomallyintegrated genes even after 200 generations of growth. Characterizationof Ty21a-Sso seed bank showed that all properties of the strain are asexpected and the S. sonnei form I O-antigen remained stably expressed in100% of the colonies after 200 generations of growth. The bacterium wasgrown at high dilution in TSB for ˜24 h, which represents ˜25 generationof growth. Each culture was serially diluted to ˜100 CFU/ml and grownfor an additional 24 h, for a total of 150 generations. The resultingcells from that point were plated on TSA, grown overnight at 37° C.(another ˜25 generations), and 100 individual colonies were patched ontoa new TSA plate for growth overnight at 37° C. The resulting coloniesfrom agar plates, which have gone through a total of 200 generations ofgrowth, were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane and analyzed bystandard immunoblotting procedures using rabbit polyclonal antiseraagainst S. sonnei form I.

Example 9 Immunogenicity of Recombinant Ty21a-Sso and Ty21a-YBC-SsoVaccine Strains in Mice

To assess the immunogenicity of Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26) andTy21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1) administered through a mucosal route, fourgroups of 10 mice were immunized intranasally with 4 doses of 1×10⁹ CFUof Ty21a, Ty21a-Sso (clone #9-26), Ty21a-YBC-Sso (clone #34-1, AR genenot expressed under this condition), and Ty21a-YBC-Sso clone (#34-1)grown in the presence of trehalose and arabinose (AR genes activated;thereafter referred to Ty21a-YBC-Sso+ARA) at 2-week intervals. Serumsamples were obtained at 2 weeks after doses 2, 3, 4 and serum IgGantibody responses were assessed by ELISA.

For mice immunized with Ty21a, the geometric mean OD 1.0 (serum dilutionat which the optical density was 1.0) titers (GMT) of anti-S. sonneiform I O-antigen antibodies were 2.5 (range 1-16), 6.9 (range 1-37), and62.8 (range 1-149) after 2, 3, and 4 doses of immunization, respectively(FIG. 12, squares). These values were not statistically different fromthat obtained from naïve mice of the same age, with GMTs at 2.0 (range1-30), 34.6 (range 18-54), 80.3 (range 43-207) (FIG. 12, circles). Incontrast, mice immunized with Ty21a-Sso (FIG. 12, triangles),Ty21a-YBC-Sso (FIG. 12, diamonds), and Ty21a-YBC-Sso (FIG. 12, invertedtriangles) produced significantly higher serum IgG titers of anti-S.sonnei form I O-antigen, and the titers were progressively higher withincreasing number of immunizations (p<0.05 by Wilcoxon Rank Sum test).All mice received 1×10⁹ CFU. For example, at 2 weeks after dose 4, theGMTs to S. sonnei form I O-antigen of mice immunized with Ty21a-Sso,Ty21a-YBC-Sso, and Ty21a-YBC-Sso+ARA were 7,909.5 (range 2,560-21,700),7,202.4 (range 3,363-15,910), and 23,020.8 (range 8,521-71,575),respectively. Sera were collected 2 weeks after doses 2, 3, 4 andantibody responses to extracted S. sonnei LPS were measured by ELISA OD1.0. Sera from 5 un-immunized, naïve mice (circles) of the same age werealso collected and measured as negative controls. Each point representsan individual mouse and the intensity of the point indicated whether themouse was protected (dark) or unprotected (light) from the challenge.The GMT for each group is indicated by a horizontal bar.

Example 10 Serum Antibody Responses to Salmonella Groups O 9,12-Antigens

The serum antibody responses to Salmonella groups O 9, 12-antigens, thenative O-antigens expressed on Ty21a surface that induced protectiveimmunity against typhoid fever were also examined (FIG. 13). Ty21a-Ssoand Ty21a-YBC-Sso immunized through mucosal route generated highantibody responses to Ty21a O-antigens. Sera from mice immunized withTy21a (squares), Ty21a-Sso (triangles), Ty21a-YBC-Sso (diamonds),Ty21a-YBC-Sso+ARA (inverted triangles), or naïve mice of the same age(circles) were collected 2 weeks after doses 2, 3, 4 and antibodyresponses to extracted Ty21a LPS (Salmonella groups 9, 12 O-antigens)were measured by ELISA OD 1.0. Each point represents an individual mouseand the intensity of the point indicated whether the mouse was protected(dark) or unprotected (light) from a lethal S. sonnei 53G form Ichallenge. The GMT for each group is indicated by a horizontal bar.

For mice immunized with Ty21a, the geometric mean titers ofanti-Salmonella groups 9,12 O-antigens serum IgG were 53.9 (range1-864), 54.5 (range 1-545), and 328.3 (range 72-2,295) at 2 weeks afterdoses 2, 3, and 4, respectively (FIG. 13, squares). We observed thatTy21a-Sso (FIG. 13, triangles), Ty21a-YBC-Sso (FIG. 13, diamonds), andTy21a-YBC-Sso+ARA (FIG. 13, inverted triangles) induced anti-Salmonellagroups 9, 12 O-antigen serum IgG at comparable levels. At 2 weeks afterdose 4, the GMTs were 421.6 (range 98-1,241), 182.3 (range (74-1,030),and 426.8 (range 78-2,539) for Ty21a-Sso, Ty21a-YBC-Sso, andTy21a-YBC-Sso+ARA. These antibody levels were significantly higher thanthat from the naïve mice (FIG. 13, circles), with a GMT of 13.6 (range1-38).

Example 11

Ty21a-Sso and Ty21a-YBC-Sso Protected Mice from Lethal S. sonnei 53G IInfection

The immunized mice described in Example 9 were challenged six weeksafter dose 4 with a lethal infection of S. sonnei 53G form I byintranasal instillation (1.2×10⁹ CFU—approximately 120 LD50) andmonitored daily for 14 days. Only 3 out of 9 mice immunized with Ty21a(FIG. 14, solid line) survived the challenge, while 7/10, 9/10, and 9/10mice immunized with Ty21a-Sso (FIG. 14, dashed line), Ty21a-YBC-Sso(FIG. 14, dotted line), and Ty21a-YBC-Sso+ARA (FIG. 14, dot-dash line)survived and remained healthy throughout the 14-day monitoring period.The difference was statistically significant (p=0.0211 by Fishers Exacttest) and the protective efficacy was 55.2%, 85.1%, and 85.1% forTy21a-Sso, Ty21a-YBC-Sso, and Ty21a-YBC-Sso+ARA, respectively.

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Tables

TABLE I Bacterial strains and plasmids used in this study Reference orStrain or plasmid Description source Bacterial strains E. coli NEB5αcloning New England Biolabs Salmonella enterica [14, 48] serovar TyphiTy21a Ty21a-Sso (wzz−), clone Ty21a with a chromosomally integrated S.sonnei form I O antigen This study #3-1 (SEQ ID NO: 3) gene cluster atthe tviE locus. The first 495 bp of wzz gene is absent. Ty21a-Sso wzz+,clone Ty21a with a chromosomally integrated S. sonnei form I O antigenThis study #9-26 (SEQ ID NO: 4) gene cluster at the tviE locus.Full-length wzz gene and its 100 bp upstream sequence are present.Ty21a-ABC, clone #2-2 Ty21a with a chromosomally integrated S. flexneri2a GadA, GadB, and This study (SEQ ID NO: 2) GadC genes under arabinosepromoter at the tviE locus Ty21a-YBC, clone #1- Ty21a with achromosomally integrated S. sonnei YbaS, S. flexneri 2a This study 28(SEQ ID NO: 1) GadB and GadC under arabinose promoter at the tviE locusTy21a-ABC-Sso, clone Ty21a with a chromosomally integrated S. flexneri2a GadA, GadB, and This study #20-25 (SEQ ID NO: 5) GadC genes underarabinose promoter followed by S. sonnei form I O antigen gene clusterwith full-length wzz at the tviE locus Ty21a-YBC-Sso, clone Ty21a with achromosomally integrated S. sonnei YbaS, S. flexneri 2a This study #34-1(SEQ ID NO: 6) GadB, and GadC genes under arabinose promoter followed byS. sonnei form I O antigen gene cluster with full-length wzz at the tviElocus Shigella sonnei 53G I Form I (Phase I), virulent isolate [42]Shigella sonnei 53G II Form II (Phase II), avirulent isolate [42]Plasmids pUC19 Cloning vector New England Biolabs pMDTV Low copy pGB2vector with inserts of tviD and vexA sequences from [19] Ty21a,separated by FRT-flanked kanamycin resistance gene (KanR) pKD46Temperature sensitive plasmid with bacteriophage λ genes Redα, Redβ,[43] and Redγ expressed under the control of the arabinose-induciblepromoter (P_(ara)). Used for genetic recombineering. pCP20 Temperaturesensitive plasmid carrying a constitutively expressed yeast [44] fliprecombinase (FLP). Used to remove KanR marker. pMDTV::Sso O Ag DNAtemplate for construction of Ty21a-Sso (wzz−) This study (wzz−)pMDTV::Sso O Ag DNA template for construction of Ty21a-Sso (wzz+) Thisstudy wzz+ pUC19::AraC- DNA template for construction of Ty21a-ABC Thisstudy GadABC-KanR-VexA pUC19::AraC-YadC- DNA template for constructionof Ty21a-YBC This study GadBC-KanR-VexA pTIKV::AraC-YadC- DNA templatefor construction of Ty21a-ABC-Sso and Ty21a-YBC- This study GadBC-Sso OAg wzz+ Sso

TABLE II Characterization of the Ty21a-Sso seedbank Assay Method Vial 1Vial 2 Ty21a Ty2 Microbiological API 20 E S. typhi S. typhi S. typhi S.typhi Galactose fermentation Blue Blue Blue Yellow (Colony appearance onBromothymol Blue agar + 1% galactose) Biochemical Minimal media +cysteine + No No No Growth tryptophan growth growth growth Minimalmedia + cysteine + Growth Growth Growth Growth tryptophan + valine +isoleucine Heat stress at 55° C. for 20 min Sensitive SensitiveSensitive Resistant Oxidative stress in 0.3% H₂O₂ Sensitive SensitiveSensitive Resistant for 20 min Galactose (1%)-induced SensitiveSensitive Sensitive Resistant bacteriolysis Immunological Salmonellagroup 9,12 O- + + + + antigen agglutination Vi antigen agglutination − −− + S. sonnei O—Ag Expression + + − ND (Colony and Western blot) at 200generations Genetic 16S rDNA sequence Identical Identical Ty21a Ty2 toTy21a to Ty21a galE DNA sequence Identical Identical Ty21a Ty2 to Ty21ato Ty21a (T367C; (wild C442Δ) type) Chromosomally integrated S. + + − −sonnei form I O—Ag gene cluster (PCR)

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A method of treating or reducing the incidence ofshigellosis in a human subject comprising oral administration of one ormore doses of a vaccine suitable for oral administration, said vaccinecomprising a transgenic Ty21a Salmonella typhi Ty21a, which comprises(i) a heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigen biosynthetic gene regioncomprising a wzz gene, and (ii) a heterologous acid resistancebiosynthetic gene system comprising one or more YbaS genes; wherein saidheterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigen biosynthetic gene region and saidheterologous acid resistance biosynthetic gene system are bothintegrated into the Salmonella typhi Ty21a chromosome, and wherein: a.the heterologous Shigella sonnei O-antigen is stably expressed; b. theone or more YbaS genes are stably expressed; c. said transgenicSalmonella typhi Ty21a is more acid stable at pH 2.5 than Salmonellatyphi Ty21a without the integrated acid resistance biosynthetic genesystem; d. an immune response is elicited against virulent Shigellasonnei challenge; and, e. an immune response is elicited againstvirulent Salmonella typhi challenge.
 21. The method of claim 20, whereinthe wzz gene comprises (i) a DNA sequence that shares at least 90%sequence identity with the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,511,904 to4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof, (ii) theDNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 ora complementary sequence thereof; or (iii) a DNA sequence that encodes afunctional variant of the polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence ofnucleic acids 4,511,904 to 4,513,010 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementarysequence thereof.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the heterologousShigella sonnei O-antigen biosynthetic gene region comprises (i) a DNAsequence that shares at least 90% sequence identity with the DNAsequence of nucleic acids 4,500,076 to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or acomplementary sequence thereof; (ii) the DNA sequence of nucleic acids4,500,076 to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequencethereof, or (iii) a DNA sequence that encodes a functional variant ofthe polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,500,076to 4,513,461 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or a complementary sequence thereof. 23.The method of claim 20, wherein the YbaS gene comprises (i) a DNAsequence that shares at least 90% sequence identity with the DNAsequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or acomplementary sequence thereof, or (ii) the DNA sequence of nucleicacids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequencethereof; or (iii) a DNA sequence that encodes a functional variant ofthe polypeptide encoded by the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof. 24.The method of claim 20, wherein the Ty21a Salmonella typhi Ty21a furthercomprises an O-antigen biosynthetic gene region from a bacterial strainselected from the group consisting of: Shigella dysenteriae, Shigellaflexneri, Shigella boydii, Escherichia coli, Salmonela entericaserovars, Vibrio cholera serotypes, Enterobacter species, Yersiniaspecies, and Pseudomonas species.
 25. The method of claim 20 comprisingtreating or reducing the incidence of both shigellosis and typhoid feverin the human subject.
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein administrationof said vaccine to a plurality of human subjects in a human populationreduces the incidence of shigellosis in said human populationsubsequently exposed to pathogenic Shigella sonnei.
 27. A method oftreating or reducing the incidence of enterotoxogenic E. coli (ETEC) ina human subject comprising oral administration of one or more doses of avaccine suitable for oral administration, said vaccine comprising atransgenic Ty21a Salmonella typhi Ty21a comprising (i) a heterologousETEC antigen biosynthetic gene region, and (ii) a heterologous acidresistance biosynthetic gene system comprising one or more YbaS genes;wherein said ETEC antigen biosynthetic gene region and said acidresistance biosynthetic gene system are both integrated into theSalmonella typhi Ty21a chromosome, and wherein: a. the ETEC antigen isstably expressed; b. the one or more YbaS genes are stably expressed; c.said transgenic Salmonella typhi Ty21a is more acid stable at pH 2.5than Salmonella typhi Ty21a without the integrated acid resistancebiosynthetic gene system; d. an immune response is elicited againstvirulent Enterotoxogenic E. coli challenge; and/or e. an immune responseis elicited against virulent Salmonella typhi challenge.
 28. The methodof claim 27, wherein the YbaS gene comprises (i) a DNA sequence thatshares at least 90% sequence identity with the DNA sequence of nucleicacids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequencethereof, (ii) the DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a complementary sequence thereof; or (iii) a DNAsequence that encodes a functional variant of the polypeptide encoded bythe DNA sequence of nucleic acids 4,503,240 to 4,504,172 of SEQ ID NO: 1or a complementary sequence thereof.
 29. The method of claim 27comprising treating or reducing the incidence of both ETEC and typhoidfever in the human subject.
 30. The method of claim 27, whereinadministration of said vaccine to a plurality of human subjects in ahuman population reduces the incidence of ETEC in said human populationsubsequently exposed to ETEC.